I was just wondering if the cruise lines still do the chain by the inch (hunk of junk) or what ever you like to call it. I left ships 8 years ago and was just curious to see how much has changed. Does the band still have to play the talent shows with those all sooooo talented pax?
What other new and different stuff goes on now.

For me the worst was singing American anthem in the dinning room... we did not know words of this song at all .... and also when they were showing crew members from different countries on the stage (!)

Some lines still do talent shows, but not as much. The small ships (luxury ships) tend to do the talent shows. We used to do them on the Norway (I was stage manager). I had one guy who was a Jerry Lee Lewis imitator. he wanted to through brandy on the piano and light it on fire. I calmly explained to him that fire is a big danger at sea.